Gene Haas will continue fielding teams in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series amid the shocking announcement that Stewart-Haas Racing is shutting down its operations at the end of the season.
NASCAR team owner Gene Haas plans to continue competing in the Cup Series by fielding one entry in 2025 following the decision to close the organization he owns alongside Tony Stewart at the end of the current season.
Less than a month ago, Tony Stewart and Haas jointly announced that Stewart-Haas Racing would be shutting down at the end of the season. The two jointly own the team, which has fielded several cars in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series since 2009.
However, Haas confirmed on Thursday that while he intends to sell the other three charters he will retain one and run in the Cup Series under the name Haas Factory Team. Along with the single charter, Haas Factory Team will continue to run a two-car Xfinity Series team under the existing Stewart-Haas shop located in Kannapolis, North Carolina.
Meanwhile, Front Row Motorsports has already declared its intention to buy one of the remaining three charters upon reaching a new Charter agreement with the sanctioning body.
“My commitment to motorsports hasn’t changed, just the scope of my involvement,” Haas said.
“Operating a four-car Cup Series team has become too arduous but, at the same time, I still need a platform to promote Haas Automation and grow HaasTooling.com.
“Maintaining my presence in Cup allows Haas Automation to compete at NASCAR’s highest level, which is important to our customers and distributors.
“The Xfinity Series program provides a full weekend experience for our guests, and it delivers added depth and scale to our overall operation.”
Joe Custer will continue to be the president of the Haas Factory Team as team drivers and partners will be revealed ahead of the 2025 season. Joe Custer’s son, Cole, is the defending NASCAR Xfinity Series champion and currently competes full-time in NXS alongside team-mate Riley Herbst.
Currently, Josh Berry [No. 4], Chase Briscoe [No. 14], Noah Gragson [No. 10], and Ryan Preece [No. 41] are without Cup rides for next season.
